Barrett Jones ‘should be 100 percent’ for title game

Posted by John Taylor on January 3, 2013, 9:49 AM EST

AP

Returning to practice this week for the first time since the SEC championship game, there was still some uncertainty as to whether All-American Barrett Jones would be able to take the field for Alabama against Notre Dame in four days.

If the player’s self-prognosis means anything, there will be no certainty.

Meeting with the media for the first time since the Tide landed in South Florida Wednesday, Jones gave his health a thumbs up for the BCS championship game, saying “I’m pretty close to 100 percent now; I think by the game I should be 100 percent.”

The starting center suffered a sprained foot in the conference title game win over Georgia. He missed the first nine postseason practice sessions as a result, returning to the on-field workouts just this past Tuesday. While he’s still in a walking boot, Jones remains confident in his availability.

“It feels great,” said Jones. “I think the first day I was certainly a little rusty, and on the second day I was a little less rusty. I think it helps that I’ve started 49 games [at Alabama]. I’m ready to roll.”